Banjo: Hasted [6
rounds] (+1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves.
Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any)
also makes you lose dodge bonuses. When making a full attack action, a hasted
creature may make one extra attack with one natural or manufactured weapon. All
of the hasted creature’s modes of movement (including land movement, burrow,
climb, fly, and swim) increase by 30 feet, to a maximum of twice the subject’s
normal speed using that form of movement.)

Natalya gave her hips an exaggerated yet inspiring shake and
moved for forward. The bard cast a grease spell on Blart in hopes of helping
the half-orc escape the clutched of the enormous snake. Dargoth stepped sideways
and attacked the snake with his bastard sword. One of his attacks hit and dealt
19 damage. Blart tried to escape the clutch of the snake but failed even with
the assistance of the grease spell.

The snake squeezed Blart again and dealt 29 damage and then released
the half-orc go.

Banjo stepped forward and targeted the snake with a scorching
ray spell. Both rays hit the target and dealt 50 damage. Clint attacked with a
full series of blows from Merthύvial and Organripper.His flanking position allowed the rogue to strike
successfully twice. The weapons dealt 36 and 26 damage.

The naga cast a lightning bolt spell which targeted Dargoth,
Thurstan, Mr.Wolfe and Blart. Dargoth and Thurstan took the brunt of the
damage. Each was dealt 30 damage while Blart took 15 damage. Mr. Wolfe managed
to be missed completely.

All: Inspire Courage (+2 vs. Fear effects, to hit rolls and
damage rolls)
Banjo: Hasted [7 rounds] (+1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC
and Reflex saves. Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to
Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses. When making a full
attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with one natural or manufactured
weapon. All of the hasted creature’s modes of movement (including land movement,
burrow, climb, fly, and swim) increase by 30 feet, to a maximum of twice the
subject’s normal speed using that form of movement.)
Natalya: [7 rounds] Hasted
Thurstan: [7 rounds] Hasted
Mr. Wolfe: [7 rounds] Hasted
Mr. Wolfe: Bull’s Strength [7 minutes] (+4 STR)
Clint: Hasted [7 rounds]
Blart: Grappled (Grappled creatures cannot move and take a –4 penalty to
Dexterity. A grappled creature takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls and
combat maneuver checks, except those made to grapple or escape a grapple. In
addition, grappled creatures can take no action that requires two hands to perform.
A grappled character who attempts to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability
must make a concentration check (DC 10 + grappler’s CMB + spell level, see page
206), or lose the spell. Grappled creatures cannot make attacks of opportunity.)Dire Snake: Grappled

At the signs of pending combat, Natalya began to dance,
magically inspiring courage (and possibly other things) amongst the party.
Dargoth moved forward to attack the enormous snake. The creature struck at the
fighter as he closed but it missed the mark. Dargoth swung his bastard sword
but missed the monster. Inspired by both Natalya’s dance and Dargoth’s bravery,
Blart moved forward to attack the snake. Again the monster struck at the
approaching hero. This time the snake stuck true and dealt 23 damage to the
half-orc and pulled him into a death grip. In the grasp of the snake, Blart
abandoned his two-handed earth breaker and attacked the beast with his cestus.
The resulting attack dealt 14 damage. The snake squeezed the half-orc for an
additional 25 damage.

Clint surveyed the scene, looking for his best tactical
position. While the rogue was appraising, Banjo decided to stay put and cast a
Haste spell targeting himself, Natalya, Thurstan, Mr. Wolfe and Clint. Seeing
that the creature was currently occupied with Blart, the elf moved with a burst
of speed to get to the other side of the creature and attacked. The rogue
struck a blow with Merthύvial, dealing 26 damage. Clint’s new positioned
himself by the well hoping the set up a flank with Dargoth in the future.

The naga cast a spell upon herself and shouted at the villagers
to get out of her way. They complied, splitting to either side of the snake
woman.

Bestride his mount, Thurstan cast Bull’s Strength on Mr.
Wolfe and spurred the companion forward into battle. The wolf closed with the
snake and snapped with his mighty jaws. The bite hit and dealt 16 damage.

The party descended the hills toward the settlement, looking
to find out where they had appeared. Along the way Banjo cast Mage Armor upon
himself.

Tile settlement's crops appear to be mostly wheat, tall
stalks rippling in the breeze. You spot numerous humans and halflings working
the fields, but as you approach, you call see that their torn clothes are as filthy
as their faces. Their features are gaunt as they look up at you, eyes bereft of
hope.

As you move closer to the settlement, you can make out more
details. You also make some assumptions based upon the activities of the inhabitants.

Structures marked F1 appear to be living quarters.

Structures marked F2 appear to be for storage.

Structures marked F3 appear to be cow barns.

The structure marked F4 appears to be a horse pen.

The structure marked F5 appears to be a flimsy pavilion.

The structure marked F6 appears to be a well.

The structure marked F7 appears to be a tool shed.

The purpose of structure marked F8 is unclear. It is the
smallest of the buildings.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

With Fadheela defeated, the party returned to Pedestal to rest,
recover and make preparations to continue their quest to retrieve the bones of
the Forgotten King. Kirlic bid the group farewell, stating he had other matter
that needed his attention. Banjo acquired a new friend amongst the drow,
Natalya, who pledged to follow the sorcerer on his mission. Seeking a
replacement for Kirlic, Es Sarch introduced the party to Blart, a half-orc
barbarian/cleric who agreed to join the group .

After concluding your business in Pedestal, the party
traveled back to Fadheela’s lair within the Necromancer’s Spike. Banjo used the
small gold rod with a head showing an opened fanged mouth about to close over a
blue agate that resembles a globe. The sorcerer identified the item as the Sertrous
Key which can be used to activate the Electric Gate found in Fadheela’s lair.

Upon presenting the key to the Electric Gate, the green
lightning bolt split and separated into two bolts, slowly forming a 10 foot
wide hoop of electricity between the poles. The party stepped through the gate
and was transported elsewhere…

You stand atop a small rise. Before you lies a wide river
valley nestled between a range of forested hills. A number of wooden buildings,
mostly barns and storage sheds, are set in a rough semicircle on the floor of
the vale. Carefully planted fields spread to all sides, while a shallow stream flows
to the northwest. Though isolated, this place appears to be a typical farming
community.

Looming over it all, however, is a sight that belies the
mundane appearance of the vale. Recessed into a west-facing cliff is a massive fortress
of dark stone, deeply shadowed by the hollow in which it stands. You can make
out few details, but even from here, the citadel's arrangement of protrusions and
towers is unlike any fortress you have ever seen.

What do you do next?

The Story Summary and Missions/Goals tabs have been updated.
The character sheets, character summary and marching order have also been
updated.

Friday, September 12, 2014

There has been some recent interest in getting the game started again. Assuming that this is the case, who is still up for playing? Do we need to be looking for additional players?

I have updated characters from Bruce, Dave and Matt F from before we took a break. I beleieve that Brad was no longer interested. I think Matt H and Steve are both interested but I am still looking for a 7th level version of Clint from Matt H and a new guy and avatar image from Steve.

Existing characters give the party a cleric, a sorcerer, a fighter and a rogue.

Obsidian ring with skull rune carved inside loop - a more
powerful version of the token provided by Es Sarch. In addition to bypassing
the trap in the spire's entry room it allowed the wearer to control the
bloodhulk.

A small gold rod with a head showing an opened fanged mouth
about to close over a blue agate that resembles a globe (magic) - The rod is
somehow connected to the device that is arcing lightning.

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Banjo
looked up from the runes on Banrhialorg.
The speaker was a stunner of a drow, clad in what looked to his eye as
typical adventuring gear. He glanced
around the tavern to be sure his friends were about. Clint was ensconced at the bar, and met
Banjo’s gaze with a squinty-eyed glance from under his ridiculous hat. He didn’t see Thurstan but the great gray
Mister Wolf was nearby. There was no
sign of Dargoth.

He
leaned back in his chair, both to get a better regard of the woman and to give
himself time to consider offensive spells.
“You sound like my father,” he said.
“What do you want?”

She
smiled and gracefully took the chair opposite him. “I merely wish to serve.”

He
rolled his eyes. “You’ve picked the
wrong adventurer to play word games with.
Get to the point or piss off.” He
raised Banrhialorg upright and let the lightning and fire play about the head.

Her
eyes widened, regarding the miniature lighting playing about the eyes of the
dragon-headed staff. “This is a threat,
you give?”

He
shrugged, causing odd shadows to flicker and dance from the lightning and
firelight. “A little.”

She
smiled again and looked him in the eye.
“Good. It is a fear I have: that
because you are male your bowels be watery and spine all soft.”

“Ha!”
he snorted, grinning. “I have been
accused of being a bit too brash, if anything.
So what are you doing—“

“I have
been given vision by the Goddess,” she interrupted. “To aid you in your quest.”

His grin
vanished, replaced by a scowl. “The
Spider Queen bade you—“

“Why is
it when you surfacers hear a drow speak of Goddess, you think Spider Queen?”

“Because
it’s usually the case? What god, then?”

Her
smile turned seductive. “Calistria.”

He
frowned. He knew just enough about gods
to use their names in bawdy curses.
“Calistria is…?”

“Elvish
goddess of trickery, lust, and revenge,” Thurstan interjected, appearing on his
right. “Who’s yer friend?” he asked,
jerking his chin at the woman.

“Uh, she
didn’t—“

“My
name is Natalya,” she said. She regarded
Thurstan’s bearded countenance coolly.
“Who are you?”

“Your
goddess gave you a vision and you don’t know our names?” Banjo asked.

“The
Goddess gave me a vision of you, Bonjerus
Valerae,” she replied, stabbing the air with a small finger. She waved her hand dismissively. “Your servants are of minor consequence.”

“Servants?!”
Thurstan, Clint, and Dargoth interjected.
Clint and Dargoth appeared suddenly on his left, while Thurstan and his
great wolf stood on the right. Natalya
and Banjo were the only ones seated.

He
didn’t bother stifling his laughter.
“They are not my
servants. If they were, we’d all be a
lot richer,” he muttered, shooting a glare at Clint.

Clint
shrugged. “Or less rich, and still
recovering from our wounds,” he said coolly.
“Or dead.”

“Or
dead,” Dargoth agreed.

“Or
dead,” Thurstan grunted.

“Hey,
easy!” Banjo exclaimed. The men
chuckled.

Natalya smiled. “You surfacers are very funny, yes.”

“So let us get this straight,
ma’am,” Clint said. “Your Goddess gave
you a vision. In that vision, she told
you to follow Bonjerus Valerae and aid him in whatever manner you can. That about sum it up?”

Clint turned from her and gave
Banjo a raised-eyebrow look, to say “it’s up to you.” He frowned and regarded the woman again. She certainly was nice to look at—but most
drow would use that to get you to let your guard down. On the other hand, it would be nice to have a
native guide here in the Underdark, since it seemed they were destined to go
deeper and deeper in.

On the other hand – he shrugged and
looked up at Thurstan. “What the hell?”

“Yeah what the hell,” Dargoth interjected. “The first guy she kills will be you and
that’ll be our warning!”

Banjo rolled his eyes.

“That is not true,” Natalya
said. “If I were to kill anyone, I would
save Bonjerus Valerae for last.”

As you
see, I am good to my word. Through Fadheela, I have sent you the bones and most
of the items you requested. I still search for Merthύvial as I write this – the
blade is hidden well. I hope the Vanguard is pleased.

You
would do well, my lord, to consider your contract with the hobgoblin
mercenaries breached. The brutes went on a looting spree that almost
compromised the entire mission.

Should you desire it, I volunteer to deal with Krootad – their
leader, the priest of Urgathoa, if you remember – myself.

-Xeron

Scroll 2

Fadheela,

You
have our thanks for sending the bones and items to us here in the fortress.
With the king’s bones in hand, the phrophecy is about to be bent to the will of
the Vanguard of Sertrous! However, two of the items are missing from what you
sent – Merthύvial and Banrhialorg. Please explain this discrepancy.

-Gazaron

Scroll 3

Garazon,

That fool Xeronnever sent Merthύvial as he promised he
would, nor has he arrived in Pedestal to deliver it to me. That;s your mess to
clean. His worthless lackeys tried to withhold the items youwanted until their
master arrived, so you got what you have only because I brook no defiance. The
sword might still show up, or Xeron is
dead. I do not know which is likely, nor do I care.

I am taking the staff as my own, and if you
want it, you will have to face me. I’ve sent the bones and other weapons along.
Count yourself lucky I did not reserve anything else for myself.

The party is able to un-stone Mr. Wolfe using one of the oils of stone to flesh.

Es Sarch is pleased when you return with additional information about the Spike, Fadheela and the Vanguard of Sertrous. As payment he gives the party a darkwoord coffer containing 100 PP. He also helps decipher the three scrolls. (See the next post.)

Lastly, the small gold rod with a head showing an opened fanged mouth about to close over a blue agate that resembles a globe is the Sertous Key and it is used to open the Elerctric Gate in Fadheela's lair. (This leads to the next adventure.)

When you have sold the unwanted gear, divided the treasure and everyone has sent me an updated PDF copy of their character sheet (you should now be 7th level) we can start the next adventure.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

I am soory that I have not given this game the attention that it deserves.

That said, I am willing to proceed with this game, wrapping up the current adventure and starting the next.

To do so, I need to get everyones commitment to continue. Right now that means, Matt H, Matt F, Brad, Dave and Bruce. I can also invite Steve.

If we are a go, I will post the wrap up stuff. This will give you the final loot, clues, etc. I will need to get updated characters from all the players. I would plan to start the new adventure on 3/24/14.